Spanish, Master of Arts

Overview

¡Bienvenidos!

The Master of Arts program in Spanish at St. John’s University will allow you to immerse yourself in the literature, language, and culture of the Hispanic world, preparing you for further scholarship, teaching at all levels, and many related careers.

The program offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option. If you elect the thesis option, you’ll complete three credits in each of the following concentrations:

Linguistics

Peninsular Literature before 1700

Peninsular Literature of the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Centuries

Spanish-American Literature from Pre-Columbian through the Nineteenth Century

Spanish-American Literature from Modernismo to the Present

You’ll also take 12 elective credits in any concentration and six credits of SPA 900 (Master’s Research). If you elect the non-thesis track, you’ll take a minimum of three credits in each concentration and 18 credits of elective coursework. Regardless of which track you choose, you’ll also sit for a comprehensive examination to complete your degree.

As a graduate student in Spanish at SJU, you may be eligible to join St. John’s Epsilon Kappa chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, and to receive the prestigious Gabriela Mistral Award, which is presented to outstanding students of Spanish who are active members of Sigma Delta Pi.

Admission

To matriculate in the M.A. Spanish program, you must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You should submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and any prior graduate work showing a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.

You must also have completed at least 24 credits of foreign language coursework, with 18 credits in advanced study of Spanish and a 3.0 minimum grade point average for these courses.

Global Approach to Education

St. John’s offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Spanish-speaking cultures by studying abroad in Spain and Argentina. Students in the M.A. program in Spanish may also benefit from internship opportunities in Spanish-speaking countries. For more information about study abroad, visit stjohns.edu/global.

Additional Information

Spanish Honor SocietyEligible students may increase their academic and professional opportunities by joining the Epsilon Kappa chapter of the Sigma Delta Pi honor society, one of many national honor society chapters offered by St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Career Outcomes

Knowledge of the Spanish language and cultural heritage will prepare you for success in today’s global society. You’ll benefit from the mentorship of distinguished faculty members with unique areas of expertise, as well as courses taught entirely in Spanish. You’ll also take part in internship opportunities that include the Instituto Cervantes and consulates of Spanish-speaking countries, and gain first-hand experience with editing, translating, and publishing through work with the bilingual literary journal, Entre Rascacielos.

Graduates of the M.A. Spanish program work in career fields that include education, journalism, translation, diplomacy, hospitality, and tourism. Many alumni have also entered doctoral programs in Spanish and related fields. Others are seminarians and missionaries who have used Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge to serve diverse populations, following St. John’s Mission.